Ed Baloian, chairman of Baloian Farms in Fresno, CA, will be honored Feb. 27 with Ag One's 2010 Community Salute Award in recognition of his more than 60 years of devoted service to the California produce industry and his commitment to his community.

The Baloian family has been in the produce business since 1923, when Mr. Baloian's father, Charles, started a full-service produce business. Brothers Ed and James Baloian joined their father as partners in the business in 1945 upon returning to Fresno after serving in World War II.

In 1965, the brothers and their father formed Pam Pak Distributors to package and market fresh vegetables from a large number of local growers who supplied the Charles Baloian Co. Mr. Baloian took on the responsibility of managing the operations at Pam Pak, and in an effort to increase annual business and to supply the rising local demand for their products, Pam Pak Distributors began its own farming operations in 1968.

In 1985, Mr. Baloian's brother, James, retired from Pam Pak. Later that same year, Mr. Baloian and his son, Tim, started Baloian Packing, which continued the efforts of "Pam Pak," currently their top label. Other brands distributed by the company are "Marty Boy," "Balo," and "Valley Jewels."

While the company headquarters is in Fresno, Mr. Baloian's leadership has enabled the business to include growing regions from Lodi to Bakersfield, Santa Maria to Oxnard, the Coachella Valley, as well as Mexico and Chile. The company is a leading California fresh fruit and vegetable grower, shipper and packer specializing in bell peppers, lettuce, eggplant, red onions, melons and squash.

An award presentation will be held the evening of Feb. 27 at Pardini's in Fresno.